The U.S. Army has announced the details of its plan to cut 40,000 troops over the next two years and it calls for Fort Campbell’s personnel to be reduced by 363 soldiers - far less than some thought.
One reduction scenario called for as many as 16,000 soldiers to be cut from the base on the Kentucky/Tennessee border.
Christian County judge-executive Steve Tribble says he’d rather the base not lose any of its 26,500 soldiers, but says he’s happy with the decision.
“We’re thankful that it was not any worse," Tribble said. "Honestly, I think it shows the Department of Defense, the Pentagon, the people making these decisions understand what a great thing we have at Fort Campbell.”
“I’ve told some people since I heard this, that with them only taking such a small number from us, I’m very hopeful that, even in the years to come, that we will gain more troops back, because if this really is about saving money, I think they’ll realize what a bargain they have at Fort Campbell," Tribble said.
A larger reduction could have been a major blow to the community in the wake of the Pentagon’s decision last year to deactivate the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade – a move that lowered the base’s active population by 2,400 soldiers.
Meanwhile, member station WKYU reports that Fort Knox will see a slight increase - 67 soldiers - as part of the Army's plan.
